i shared with the president if i am confirmed with the united states senate, i will always do my best. i will always do my best for our nation and for the men and women and their families who are called on to make the enormous sacrifices of military service. they're safety, success and welfare will always be at the forefront of the decisions i make. i also assured the president that i will always provide him with my most honest and informed advice. i make that same commitment to this committee and to the congress. if confirmed, i will reach out to the members of this committee for advice and collaboration. it will be a partnership. because the national security challenges america faces require it. our nation's security is the highest priority of our leaders and our government. we cannot allow the work of confronts the great threats we face today to be held hostage to partisanship of either bodies allowed. the stakes are too high. men and women of all political philosophies and ideas die and fight for our country, as this committee knows so well, protecting our national security, or co